Search Ann Arbor Traffic Records
Ann Arbor traffic ticket records are handled by the 15th District Court, which processes all civil infraction citations issued within the city. The court serves one of Michigan's most active enforcement areas, with strict attention to distracted driving, campus area speed limits, and pedestrian safety zones near the University of Michigan. You can search case records through Michigan's MiCOURT system, visit the court in person, or submit a mail request to the clerk's office. Record requests are accepted Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM. Knowing your case number makes the search process much faster regardless of which method you use.
Ann Arbor Quick Facts
15th District Court - Ann Arbor
The 15th District Court at 301 E Huron Street handles all traffic citations issued in Ann Arbor. This includes civil infractions for speeding, signal violations, distracted driving, and equipment defects. Civil infractions under MCL 257.907 are not criminal charges, but they do carry fines and can add points to your driving record. When an officer issues you a citation in Ann Arbor, that case goes to this court. The clerk's office manages the case docket, processes fine payments, and schedules hearings for contested matters.
Ann Arbor has a well-established zero tolerance approach to distracted driving. Officers actively enforce hands-free laws, particularly in the areas around the University of Michigan campus, South University, and other high-traffic pedestrian zones. Bicycle and pedestrian safety zones near campus receive extra attention. If you were cited in one of these areas, the citation likely reflects local enforcement priorities. The fine schedule follows Michigan's standard civil infraction rules, but the court does not reduce fines informally for first-time offenders as a matter of policy.
When you get a ticket in Ann Arbor, you have three options. You can pay the fine and accept a civil infraction finding. You can request an informal hearing with a court magistrate. Or you can request a formal hearing before a judge. The deadline for responding is on your citation. If you miss it, the court enters a default finding. That default is reported to the Secretary of State and can affect your license. Parking tickets are handled separately by the city, not by the 15th District Court.
| Court | 15th District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 E Huron Street Ann Arbor, MI 48104 |
| Phone | (734) 222-3370 |
| Serves | City of Ann Arbor |
The clerk's office is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM. Call ahead to confirm hours before you visit, especially around holidays. Bring your citation number or the case number for faster service. Staff can process record requests, collect fine payments, and help you schedule a hearing if you want to contest the citation.
Search Ann Arbor Traffic Records Online
Michigan's MiCOURT system is the main online portal for looking up district court records. Go to micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search and select Washtenaw County and the 15th District Court from the dropdown menus. You can search by name or by case number. A name search pulls up all cases linked to that person at that court. MiCOURT displays the citation number, the offense description, the date of the violation, scheduled hearing dates, and the current case status. It shows whether the case is open, resolved, or has an outstanding balance.
MiCOURT is updated regularly but there can be a short delay between when something happens in court and when it shows online. If you just paid a fine or attended a hearing, allow a day or two before checking for updated status. The system does not show every detail from the full case file. Sensitive information and older records may not appear. If you need a certified copy of a record or the full file, contact the 15th District Court directly at (734) 222-3370.
For your official Michigan driving record, use ExpressSOS at mvic.sos.state.mi.us. That is where you find your current point total, license status, and a full list of reported violations. The Michigan Courts portal at courts.michigan.gov has contact information for the 15th District Court and links to MiCOURT for case searches. These two systems cover different things: MiCOURT shows court case data, and ExpressSOS shows what has been posted to your driving record by the Secretary of State.
Michigan Driver Point System
Michigan uses a point system under MCL 257.320 to track driving violations. Points go on your record when the Secretary of State gets notice of a civil infraction finding or conviction from a court. Minor speeding violations typically carry two points. Moderate violations, like running a red light, often carry three points. Serious violations, like reckless driving, carry six points. Four-point violations include things like passing a stopped school bus. All points stay on your record for two years from the date of the offense.
For Ann Arbor drivers, enforcement priorities around campus and pedestrian zones mean distracted driving and failure-to-yield violations are common citation types. These violations carry two to four points depending on the specific charge. A few citations within a short period can move your total toward the warning threshold faster than most people expect. The Secretary of State sends a warning letter when you reach 12 points. At 14 points, your license may be restricted. At 18 points, suspension is possible.
You can check your current point total and driving history through ExpressSOS at mvic.sos.state.mi.us. The portal lets you view your record and order official copies. An informal record is available for a small fee and shows current points and recent violations. A certified copy costs more and is required for legal or licensing purposes. You can also order records in person at any Secretary of State branch office.
Completing a certified driver improvement course can take two points off your record. You can only do this once every three years. The course does not remove the underlying violation, just the points. Contact the Secretary of State to get a list of approved courses and to apply the reduction. For Ann Arbor residents who drive regularly in and around campus, keeping points low matters for both insurance rates and license status.
Getting Copies of Ann Arbor Traffic Records
To get a copy of a traffic case record from the 15th District Court, you can visit the clerk's office in person or send a mail request. In-person requests are handled at 301 E Huron Street during business hours, 8 AM to 4:30 PM. Bring the case number or the full name and date of birth of the person on the citation. Plain copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies cost $10 and include the court's official seal. Certified copies are required for legal proceedings, insurance purposes, or formal record requests.
For mail requests, include the case number or full name and date of birth, the type of record you need, the number of copies, a return address, and payment. The court accepts checks or money orders. Do not send cash. Call (734) 222-3370 before mailing to confirm the current fee and turnaround time. Getting these details upfront avoids delays from incorrect payment or missing information in your request letter.
For your official Michigan driving record, use Form BDVR-154 through the Secretary of State under MCL 257.208c. The driving record is a separate document from the court case file. It shows all points, license actions, and violations reported by courts across Michigan. You can order it through ExpressSOS at mvic.sos.state.mi.us or in person at any Secretary of State branch. Insurers and courts typically ask for the driving record when they want a full violation history, not just a single case file.
Washtenaw County Traffic Records
Ann Arbor is the county seat of Washtenaw County. Traffic citations issued within Ann Arbor fall under the Washtenaw County court system. The county page has information on courts across Washtenaw County, including how the district court system is organized and what options are available for accessing records countywide.